Intended for parents of developmentally disabled children, the handbook provides information on speaking to community groups. The parent speaker program is designed to correct public misconceptions about disabilities, help people learn more about disabilities, and share practical information. The first section of the handbook provides basic information on mental retardation, epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy; reviews myths and stereotypes; and highlights aspects of federal laws and financial assistance. Suggestions for delivering the basic talk are offered. The second section includes fact sheets on mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, blindness, and deafness. Each fact sheet considers incidence, etiology, characteristics, management and resources. The third section lists resources for specific disabilities. Suggestions for getting started as a parent speaker touch upon making contact with the community and reaching out to other parents. Appended is a guide designed to help establish parent speaker programs. (CL)